Tropical Storm Nicole: Storm nearing hurricane strength on its path to Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. - Tropical Storm Nicole was nearing hurricane strength late Tuesday evening as the storm continued to move toward Florida.
The center of Nicole was located about 325 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, and moving west-southwest at 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds were measured at 70 mph, making it just 4 mph shy of a Category 1 hurricane.
Nicole will approach the northwestern Bahamas overnight, move near or over those islands on Wednesday, and approach the east coast of Florida within the hurricane warning area Wednesday night or early Thursday. Nicole's center is then expected to move across central and northern Florida into southern Georgia Thursday and Thursday night.
A number of watches and warnings have been issued ahead of the storm.
WARNINGS AND WATCHES
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
- The Abacos, Berry Islands, Bimini, and Grand Bahama Island in the northwestern Bahamas
- Boca Raton to Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Andros Island, New Providence, and Eleuthera in the northwestern Bahamas
- Hallandale Beach Florida to Boca Raton Florida
- Flagler/Volusia County Line Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
- Lake Okeechobee
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- South of Hallandale Beach to north of Ocean Reef Florida
- North of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River Florida
- North of Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
- North Palm Beach Florida to Altamaha Sound Georgia
- Mouth of the St. Johns River to Georgetown Florida
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- Hallandale Beach to Boca Raton Florida
- Lake Okeechobee
- Flagler/Volusia County Line to Ponte Vedra Beach
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:
- South of North Palm Beach to Hallandale Beach Florida
- Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina
- Anclote River Florida to Ochlockonee River Florida
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- South of Hallandale Beach to north of Ocean Reef Florida
- North of Bonita Beach to the Ochlockonee River Florida
- North of Altamaha Sound Georgia to South Santee River South Carolina
"Some strengthening is expected during the next day or so, and Nicole is forecast to become a hurricane later tonight and remain a hurricane when it reaches the east coast of Florida," the National Hurricane Center said.
Tracking Subtropical Storm Nicole: Where to get sandbags in Central Florida
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 380 miles from the center.
Several inches of rain are forecast in some areas and the potential for damaging wind gusts up to 85 mph and flooding is a major concern. The east side of Florida could feel tropical force winds by Wednesday morning and then spreading across Central Florida by 2 a.m. on Thursday with hurricane force winds possible before decreasing in intensity.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY OUTLOOK:
The FOX 35 Storm Team says you should have your hurricane preps done by Wednesday, no later than 3 p.m. as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate. Power outages are possible.
Nicole is the 14th named storm of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through Nov. 30.